Pakistani Army offers to probe bus passengers’ killing

Islamabad, March 1 (IANS) The Pakistani Army has offered to assist in the investigation into Tuesday’s sectarian killing in which 18 bus passengers were shot dead on the Karakoram Highway by gunmen wearing military uniforms.

Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani made the offer Wednesday, Dawn reported.

Kayani was briefed by army commanders on the incident and he directed them to help the Gilgit-Baltistan authorities in maintaining security.

Eighteen Shia passengers were shot dead after they were forced to disembark from buses at Harban Nullah on the Karakoram Highway.

Before killing the passengers the gunmen ascertained their sectarian affiliation by examining their national identity cards.